Supports for lanterns and the like



LL 55 M Dec. 4, 1956 R. E. CONANT 2,772,845

SUPPORTS FOR LANTERNS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 17, 1951 INVEN TOR.

United States Patent O 2,772,845 SUPPORTS FOR LANTERNS AND THE LIKE Ronald E. Conant, Kalamazoo, Mich. Application December 17, 1951, Serial No. 261,940 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-150) This invention relates to improvements in supports for lanterns and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a support for a lantern, signal light or the like which is effective as a support and one in which the legs may be collapsed compactly at the sides of the lantern.

Second, to provide a support of this character which may be readily applied to the object supported and adds relatively little weight thereto and is stable when erected.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a lantern with the support of my'invention mounted thereon, the legs being shown in collapsed position by full lines and in erected position by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view, the ends only of the collapsed legs being shown.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section on a line corresponding to 3-3 of Fig. 2, the legs being shown in collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view corresponding to that of Fig. 3 with the legs in erected position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to 5-5 in Figs. 3 and 4.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a lantern of the mantel type, 2 the bowl thereof and 3 the handle. This lantern is of commercial type and therefore the details are not illustrated or described.

The'support of my invention comprises an annular split resilient body member 4 having outturned ears 5 at the ends thereof receiving the adjusting screws 6 provided with clamping nuts 7.

The body member has inturned angularly spaced lugs 8 on its lower edge adapted to engage beneath the bowl 2 of the lantern when the body member is clamped thereon. The body member is provided with a liner 9 of resilient material desirably felt. The liner protects the bowl of the lantern and also enables a secure grip on the lantern without the necessity of undue clamping tension. This is desirable as the lantern is carried by its handle 3. The legs 10 are formed of light bar stock preferably of rectangular section and are notched at the outer ends as shown at 11.. One of the desirable features of the support is that it may be used by fishermen and the legs are stable when the lantern is set up on the ice.

The upper ends 12 of the legs are angled at 13 so that the legs diverge outwardly when in both erected and collapsed positions, diverging outwardly when in erected position for stability and upwardly when in collapsed position to clear the lantern. The. body member 4 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced leg pivots 14, the legs having holes 15 receiving these pivots. Coil springs 16 are arranged on the pivots at the outer sides of legs to yieldably urge the lugs 17 and 18 into engagement with the slot-like keepers 19 formed in the body member in alignment with the pivots. The lugs 17 and 18 are desirably formed by recessing the angled portions of the legs at 20. By this arrangement the legs may be adjusted on the pivots either to erected position or to collapsed position and they are effectively retained 2,772,845 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 2 V in both positions. While the structure is light in weight it is relatively strong and rigid.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a lantern it is well adapted as a support for various other objects such, for example, as signal lamps or torches. The body member may be effectively secured to objects varying considerably in shape and diameter. It will be understood that where there is a wide range in diameter body members of different sizes are provided, the same leg mounting is used.

I have illustrated and described my invention in an embodiment which I have found highly practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain adaptations or modifications which might be desirable for supporting a particular object, as it is believed the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a support for lanterns and the like, the combination of an annular split resilient body member for clampingly receiving the base of a lantern therein having angularly spaced inturned lantern supporting lugs on its lower edge and having outturned ears at the ends thereof, a clamping screw disposed through said ears, said supporting lugs being disposed on a level below that of said out-turned ears and clamping screw, angularly spaced pivots disposed on a level above that of said supporting lugs and projecting radially from said body member, legs swingably mounted on said pivots and each having an inwardly facing recess providing spaced lugs on opposite sides of each of said pivots, said body member being provided with slot-like keepers spaced from said pivots to receive one lug of each leg when the legs are in erected position extending vertically downwardly from said pivots, and the other lug of each leg when the legs are in collapsed position extending vertically upwardly from said pivots, and springs arranged on said pivots at the outer sides of the legs and acting to urge the legs yieldingly inward for releasably retaining the lugs in engagement with the keepers.

2. In a support for lanterns and the like, the combination of an annular body member for clampingly receiving the base of a lantern therein, angularly spaced pivots projecting radially from said body member, legs swingably mounted on said pivots and each having an inwardly facing recess providing spaced lugs on opposite sides of each ofsaid pivots, said body member being provided with slot-like keepers spaced from said pivots to receive one lug of each leg when the legs are in erected position extending vertically downwardly from said pivots and the other lug of each leg when the legs are in collapsed position extending vertically upwardly from said pivots, and springs arranged on said pivots at the outer sides of the legs and acting to urge the legs yieldingly inward for releasably retaining the lugs in engagement with the keepers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,977 Thomas June 10, 1890 1,151,745 Wagner Aug. 31, 1915 1,885,384 Snow Nov. 1, 1932 2,001,438 Stuck May 14, 1935 2,029,051 Blevins Jan. 28, 1936 2,312,893 Foy Mar. 2, 1943 2,382,953 Baxter Aug. 21, 1945 2,515,793 Owens July 18, 1950 2,563,410 Micek Aug. 7, '1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 103,883 Switzerland of 1924 

